How to Update Your Router's Firmware

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Keep your router up-to-date so you never lose connection

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: December 22, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Downloading Firmware Updates Using a Mobile App
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• Downloading Firmware Updates on the Router Page
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• Updating an AirPort Router
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips
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• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

Updating your router firmware can help improve connectivity and keep your router secure. It is always recommended to install the latest available updates to keep your network safe and efficient. Read on to learn more and get expert advice on updating your router from tech specialist, Luigi Oppido.

Quick Router Firmware Update Guide

Most popular ISPs and router manufacturers offer a mobile app that manages the router. All you need to do is open the app and tap the "New firmware update" banner to download and install the update automatically. Otherwise, log into your router, navigate to the "Update" page and install the update.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Downloading Firmware Updates Using a Mobile App

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1. Many popular IP providers and router manufacturers have an app for management. If you rent a router from an ISP like Xfinity or Spectrum, or even if you own a router, like Nighthawk, you can download and update your router without touching a computer.

   • Make sure you're on the same network as your router, then open the mobile app. As soon as you open the app, you should see a banner that lets you know there's a firmware update for your router.
   • The process is automatic – just tap the notification and the update will download!
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Section 2 of 3:

Downloading Firmware Updates on the Router Page

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1. 1
   Connect to the router via Ethernet. Some routers are set up to not allow access to the configuration page if you are connected via Wi-Fi. Connecting via Ethernet will help ensure that you can properly access the configuration tools.
2. 2
   Enter your router's IP address into a web browser's address bar. According to Oppidio, "Most routers have this IP address printed on the sticker affixed to the bottom."

   • Enter the address as if you were visiting a webpage.
   • Routers that don't have access to the Internet will be able to load this page, so don't worry about not being connected! (You do, however, need Internet connection to be able to download the update. If the router isn't connected, you can download the update on your mobile phone and transfer it to your computer.)
3. 3
   Enter your login information. When you try to open the configuration page, you'll be prompted to enter your router login information. If you don't have this information saved, you can try some of the common defaults:

   • Try leaving both fields blank. Some routers don't have any username or password required.
   • Try entering "admin" as the username, and then leave the password blank. If that doesn't work, enter "admin" as the password as well.
   • Look up your router make and model at routerpasswords.com. This will display the default login information.
   • If the default login information doesn't work, and you can't figure out how to log in, you can reset the router by pressing and holding the physical Reset button on the back. This will erase all of your router's settings, possibly disrupting your wireless network if you changed any default settings for it. You can then use the default login.
4. 4
   Open the "Firmware," "Router Upgrade," or "Update" page. The name of this page will be different for every different router manufacturer. The location varies, but you can usually find it in the "Administration," "Utilities," or "Maintenance" section.
5. 5
   Click the "Check" button to see if updates are available. Many routers have a button that will check to see if a new version of the router's firmware is available.
6. 6
   Download the latest firmware files if presented with a link. Depending on the router, you may be provided a link to the latest firmware version, or the router may even be able to download it on its own.
7. 7
   Visit the manufacturer's support site if no link is given. If there is a newer version of the firmware available, but no links are given, you'll need to download the firmware from the manufacturer. You can get these files from the Support sections of these sites.

   • Perform a web search to find the support site. For example, searching for "Netgear support" will get you the netgear.com/support link.
8. 8
   Enter your router's model into the support site's search. You can find your router model number at the top of the configuration page. Enter this model number into the search on the manufacturer's website.
9. 9
   Find the latest firmware files. Depending on the router, there may be a single firmware file, many different ones, or none at all. Download the latest version, either by date or by number. The file will usually download in ZIP format.

   • Make sure you don't download a version earlier than the one you're using. You can see what version you're using on your router's firmware update configuration page.
10. 10
    Extract the ZIP file. After the firmware file has finished downloading, double-click the downloaded ZIP file to open it, then click "Extract" to extract the contents. This will usually give you one file with an unfamiliar extension.
11. 11
    Upload the file to your router. Back in your router's firmware update page, click the "Choose File" button and navigate to your newly-extracted file. Select it and then click the "Upload" button on the router configuration page.
12. 12
    Wait while the update is applied. Once the file is uploaded, the firmware update process will begin. You'll typically see a progress bar, and the update process may take 3-5 minutes. Your router will likely reset afterward, which will disconnect you from the network for a few moments.
13. 13
    Reset your router if the update fails. If the firmware update doesn't work, and you can no longer connect to the router, you can manually reset it and try again. Press and hold the Reset button on the back of the router for 30 seconds to reset it to factory defaults. You'll need to reconfigure your network if you made any changes to the default settings previously.
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Section 3 of 3:

Updating an AirPort Router

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1. 1
   Open the AirPort Utility program in your Utilities folder. This program allows you to change your AirPort router's settings. You can find the Utilities folder in your Applications folder.

   • If you're using an iOS device, you can download the AirPort Utility from the App Store.
   • The AirPort Utility is only available on Mac OS X and iOS devices.
2. 2
   Click your base station and enter your password. The base station icon may have a red badge number indicating that an update is available, but this may not appear until after you've entered your password.
3. 3
   Click the "Update" button to download and install the update. This button only appears if an update is available. Click "Continue" when prompted to confirm.
4. 4
   Wait for the router to update. This may take several minutes to complete. You will be disconnected from the network for a short time during the update process.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Do I need to update my router's firmware?

  

  Luigi Oppido
  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

  

  Luigi Oppido

  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Yes! Updating your firmware is vital in protecting your router from attacks. You should update it whenever a new version is available.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  Do I have to inform my internet service company?

  

  Joseph Coscia

  Community Answer

  You usually shouldn't have to, unless it's their router and something went wrong with the update.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
• Question

  How do I update my WiFi?

  

  Allan Cramer

  Community Answer

  Access your router settings by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.0 into your web browser's address bar. Provided that you have the admin username/password to login to the router (usually on a sticker on the router, or typically the admin/password will work), there will most likely have a notification on the first screen letting you know that an update is available when you access the router.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 7

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Tips

• Download your internet provider's app for firmware update reminders.
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Warnings

• Having firmware that's not updated can make you susceptible to firewall attacks.
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